Brassiere

ABSTRACT

A brassiere having a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps for disposition below the bust of the user, and additionally having a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust support strap such that each of the bust extending strips is affixed to an opposite end of the associated bust supporting strap. Additionally, the brassiere has a pair of bust-shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to each bust supporting strap, and a means for adjustably securing a portion of each bust extending strip to the associated shaping cup.

United States Patent Hand 1 [54] BRASSIERE [72] Inventor: Hi Hand, 16456 Sloan Drive, Los

Angeles, Calif. 90049 [22] Filed: Aug. 20, 1971 [21] -Appl. No.: 173,429

[52] US; Cl ..l28/483, 128/492 [51] Int. Cl ..A4lc 3/00 [58] Field of Search ..l28/483, 484, 485, 492, 494, 128/510, 511, 512, 516

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,491,762 1/1970 Simonsen ..l28/483 X 3,393,681 7/1968 Sachs ..128/483 2,222,687 11/1940 Rosenthal et a1. .....l28/483 X [4 1 Oct. 17,1972

Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Attorney-Sokolski & Wohlgemuth [5 7 ABSTRACT A brassiere having a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps for disposition below the bust of the user, and additionally having a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust support strap such that each of the bust extending strips is affixed to an opposite end of the associated bust supporting strap. Additionally, the brassiere has a pair of bust-shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to each bust supporting strap, and a means for adjustably securing a portion of each bust extending strip to the associated shaping cup.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BRASSIERE This invention relates in general to ladies garments, and more particularly to a new and improved brassiere and to ladies clothing having such a brassiere therewith. In operation, the invention forms the breasts to their proper anatomical shape without untoward results such as lowered blood circulation, distortion of the natural form, and the like. Further, the present invention shapes and molds the breasts to bestow a very attractive silhouette thereto, yet safely prohibits the side portion of the breasts under the arm from retreating thereunder. The present invention also prevents the weight of the breasts from causing same to hang or to droop unnecessarily, yet giving sufficient side support to the breasts, not only in the sternal region, but in the lateral pectoral region, so that the fully supported breasts are adapted to be shaped in the manner hereinafter described.

Brassieres are well known in the art, including various types of clothing having a general nature and shape as herein described. However, such prior art devices are not adapted to hold the breasts in their natural shape in the same manner as the present invention and to mold same so as to give an attractive silhouette thereto. Nor are such devices adapted to insure against the breast tissue surrounding the mammary glands withdrawing under the arms of the wearer. Further, no consideration has heretofore been given to the usual or regular monthly changes in the size of the female breasts, so that cups which fit the breasts properly on one occasion may not properly fit the breasts at another time of the month.

With the foregoing in mind, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved two-part brassiere, or a garment having such a brassiere fitted therein, in which one of the elements thereof is designed to support the breasts of the wearer so as to prevent the weight of the breasts from effecting unsightly drooping of said breasts.

A further object of the present invention is to design a brassiere having separate breast support and breast covering members, each being individually manufactured.

Another object of the present invention is to design a brassiere that will provide safe and sufficient side support under the wearers arms so that the breast tissue surrounding the mammary glands cannot return to its unnatural position thereunder, so that a greater moldable breast size results therefrom.

An additional object of the present invention is to brassiere which does not constrict the breasts in any manner so as to not cause any adverse effects what soever on the circulation or glands of or about the breasts; having a brassiere which will contour the bust in its natural form without the use of built-in stay devices or similar means; having a brassiere which can support a bust upwardly and outwardly thrust same without utilizing specially filled or padded devices; having a brassiere which can utilize its own unique construction to effect control or contour forming areas; and such objects, advantages and capabilities will be readily apparent and better understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a brassiere illustrating many of the parts thereof while the same is being worn;

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the brassiere constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates the combination of strap fastening means forming a part of the breast covering member and side support strip member; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the shape of various parts comprising the invention. V

With reference to the drawing of the invention in detail, the invention is shown generally at 10, and includes a pair of identical but irregularly shaped elongated bust supporting straps 11 and 12, each having a relatively smooth curved elongated side 13 and 14 respectively, and an opposite elongated undulating side, 15 and 16 respectively. Each of said bust support straps, 11 and 12, has an apex portion, 17 and 18 respectively, which is a greater distance from said smooth curved side, 13 and 14, than the adjacent portions. Once utilized in the manner herein described, it will be seen that the breast mass may be supported and thrust forward by said straps, 11 and 12, particularly in design a brassiere having breast covering members which will satisfactorily perform their intended function, to wit: to mold the breasts of the wearer into a desirable silhouette, even though the cup size of the breast may vary periodically due to usual cyclical physical changes in the female body.

Another object of the present invention is to have a brassiere with side members integral therewith to provide additional side support for the breasts so that same may be molded into an attractive silhouette by means of a breast covering part.

Further and additional objects and advantages of the present invention include its adaptability for use as a brassiere alone and for garments such as ladies lingerie and swimwear which would include same; having a the center portions, 17a and 18a, thereof. Since the said bust support straps, l1 and 12, are identical in construction, a description of one should suffice as a description of the other. Consequently, and with particular reference to FIG. 5 of the drawing, it may be seen that joining said smooth curved side 13 and said elongated undulating side 15 are two relatively straight edges, 19 and 20, which diverge upwards and away from said smooth curved side 13 until contact with said opposite side 15. However, outer edge 20 is bowed inwardly for purposes hereinafter described.

The abutting edges, 19 and 21, of said support straps, 11 and 12, are connected together by stitch means or the like. Further, since the said curved sides, 13 and 14, provide a continuous curved side upon being connected together, said abutting edges, 19 and 21, tend to overlap proportionately as the distance increases from the contact with the said smooth curved sides, 13 and 14, due to the said edges, 19 and 21, diverge upwards and away from said sides, 13 and 14 respectively. However, said abutting edges, 19 and 21, do not overlap because of being sewn together by stitch means, so as to cause the said support straps, 11 and 12, to conform their shape to the roundness of a womans bust and provide a natural round cup for support thereof.

The said support straps, l1 and 12, are attached by stitch means commonly used in sewing operations at the smooth curved sides, 13 and 14, thereof, to a thin somewhat rectangularly shaped elastisized fabric strip 22 which engages the diaphragm of the wearer. Said strip 22 has a smooth plush finish on its body contacting face so that no irritation results upon its slight movement relative to the body of the wearer. The remotely disposed edges, 20 and 23, of said straps, 11 and 12 respectively, are connected to the underarm side support bands, 24 and 25, in the manner hereinafter described.

A pair of flexible bust extending strips 26 and 27, each being adapted to encircle a bust, is shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing. While each strip, 26 or 27, is shown to be made of two segments, it may easily be seen that said strips, 26 and 27, may each be made of a single strip of fabric. Further, said strips, 26 and 27, are of identical configuration, and a description of one should be sufficient to describe the other. Bust extending strip 26 has one end 28 thereof imposed over the outer side of bust support strap 11 and is connected to the remotely disposed edge 20 thereof and to a portion of the said smooth curved side 13 at its juncture with the said fabric strip 22 by means of a standard sewing operation. The other end 28 of said strip 26 is attached to a portion of the seam connecting support strap 11 to fabric strip 22 and at the flexible juncture of the abutting edges, 19 and 21, of said support straps, 11 and 12 respectively by means of a standard sewing operation. The upper side 29 of said strip 26, for a portion of its length as herein described, remains in snug contact with the outer side of the breast, so that the flesh thereof is given additional side support and also keeps same from slipping rearward of the contact area. The lower side 31 of said strip 26 is loosely fitted about the breast, but provides additional guidance for the apex portion of the breast, so that it will assume the proper silhouette. As may now be appreciated, with the breasts resting upon said breast support straps, 11 and 12, said bust extending strips 26 and 27 will cause the breasts to remain fully extended while being completely supported. As a matter of fact, it will be shown herein that the greater the weight of the breasts, the greater will be their tendency to remain fully extended.

Small rectangularly shaped strips of fabric 33 and 34 are attached to the peak of each of said bust extending strips 26 and 27 respectively, by a standard sewing operation, each of said fabric strips, 33 and 34, having a length adjusting buckle, 35 and 36 respectively, with a depending tongue portion mounted thereon.

As may be appreciated in FIGS. 2 and of the drawing, a pair of underarm side support bands, 24 and 25, each having an irregular configuration thereto, is provided adjacent the remote edges, 20 and 23 respectively, of said support straps 1 1 and 12. As their shapes are identical, a description of one should suffice to describe the other. An inwardly bowed edge 37 is provided for underarm band 24, said edge 37 being attached to the remote edge 20 of said support strap 11 (also bowed), immediately to the rear of the point where the bust commences its extension from the wearers side. Said underarm band 24 and bust supporting strap 11 are connected by means of an ordinary sewing procedure, but due to the connection being at the juncture of said bowed edge 20 and bowed edge 37, said juncture will tend to bend inwards toward the mammary glands of the wearer. Strips of flexible material, 39 and 40, overlap each of said junctures rearwardly, so as to assist the junctures in retaining the bends as above described. As a result, the flesh surrounding the mammary glands of the wearer will be prevented from withdrawing under the arms of the wearer, thus providing a greater bust size for molding same into an attractive silhouette.

An elastic, flexible substantially rectangular shaped back support member 41 is attached to the remotely disposed end of underarm side support band 24, and has female eye fasteners attached thereto. Another back support member 42, having substantially the same shape as member 41, is attached to the remotely disposed end of underarm side support band 25, and has male eye fasteners attached thereto, so that back support member 41 may be removably connected to back support member 42. Upon such connection, it may be seen that the invention 10 is completely about the wearers body.

A pair of identically constructed bust shaping cups, 43 and 44, each having a shape adapted to conform the extended bust into a pleasing and proper anatomical silhouette, are made of any suitable soft and flexible fabric which may be embelished to suit the taste of the wearer. Further, said bust shaping cups, 43 and 44, are shaped to conform to a particular breast size. The adjacent edges, 45 and 46, of said bust shaping cups, 43 and 44 respectively, are sewn together by standard methods. The remotely disposed edges, 47 and 48, of said cups, 43 and 44 respectively, are attached to the junctions connecting the remotely disposed edges, 20 and 23 respectively, of said support straps, 11 and 12, to said underarm support bands, 24 and 25 respectively. The lower sides, 49 and 50, of said cups, 43 and 44 respectively, are attached by standard sewing procedures to the junctures where the top edge of said fabric strip 22 is connected to the smooth curved sides, 13 and 14, of said bust support straps, 11 and 12 respectively. The upper edges, 51 and 52, of each cup, 43 and 44 respectively, is upwardly pointed and at each of said edges, 51 and 52, is attached fastener strips, 53 and 54 respectively, each having a plurality of laterally disposed openings adapted to removably receive therein a depending tongue forming a part of said buckles 35 and 36. The fasteners can be suitably formed of fabric, or molded pliable plastic or elasticized material. One end of an ordinary shoulder strap 55 is fixedly connected to the upper peripheral edge of underarm side support band 24, with the other end thereof being connected to said buckle 35 for length adjustment. A second shoulder strap 56 is attached to underarm side support band 42 and buckle 36 in the same manner as said shoulder strap 55 and for the same purpose. It may thus be seen that the amount of bust shaped by a particular size of cup may vary because of the adjustment between said buckles, 35 and 36, with said fastener, 53 and 54 respectively. As a result, the breasts may periodically increase or decrease in size, and by a mere adjustment as aforedescribed, the bust shaping cups, 43 and 44, can either be enlarged or shortened so as to receive the entire extended breast and conform same to a pleasing and shapely silhouette.

With the present invention, there is no inward pressure holding the breasts against the chest of the wearer to distort same from their naturally intended form, nor is there any pressure which reduces blood circulation in the area of the breasts. Consequently, use of the present invention will assist the wearer in obtaining and keeping a healthy bust tissue and eliminating the sag so commonly acquired by using improper brassieres. The operation of said invention is extremely simple, with the wearers breasts being first supported by said bust support straps 1 l and 12, after closure of members 41 and 42. Shoulder straps 55 and 56 are then adjusted so as to fit the wearer properly, so that the following beneficial results are obtained. Due to the inwardly depending and bowed connection between the bust support straps 11 and 12 and their respective underarm side support bands 24 and 25, the entire bust will be and remain forward of said connection. Further, the weight of the busts upon said bust support straps l 1 and 12 causes a vertical elongation of said bust extending strips 26 and 27 at sides 29 and 30 respectively so that said busts are further extended for molding by said bust shaping cups 43 and 44. In addition, sides 31 and 32 of said strips 26 and 27 respectively guide the bust so that it rests on supports 17 and 18. If the size of the bust varies periodically, the cups 43 and 44 may be adjusted as aforesaid. Finally, it may be appreciated that the bust support straps l1 and 12, due to their irregularly shaped configurations, provide a greater amount of support for the breasts than any known prior art device.

Particularly, the apex portions, 17 and 18, serve to both push the side of the bust forward while concurrently limiting the tendency of the bust tissue in the adjoining area to apex portions from moving rearwardly. This is achieved through the cooperative effort of the apex portions with the bowed side portions, and 37, which are lateral holding points at the rear outer side portions of the busts.

While only one particular embodiment of the present invention has been described and shown, the said invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular construction or arrangement, or to specific embodiments disclosed herein, or any specific method or operation or use, since the same may be modified in various particulars, without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention herein shown and described of which the embodiment is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment, and not showing all the forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

lclaim:

1. In a brassiere:

a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps disposed in an end-to-end relationship for disposition below the bust of a user,

means for joining the bust supporting straps in an abutting relationship at their adjoining ends,

elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of the straps,

a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust supporting strap, such that each end of said strip is affixed to an opposite end of said associated bust supporting strap,

underarm support bands,

the opposite end of said bust supporting straps being connected to said underarm supporting bands,

the bust supporting straps having concave surfaces fixedly secured to abutting concave surfaces on said underarm support bands, whereby the adjoining lines between the supporting straps and adjacent underarm support bands bow inwardly when the brassiere is used,

a pair of bust shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to said bust supporting straps,

and means for adjustably securing a portion of each bust extending strip to the associated shaping cup.

2. In a brassiere:

a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps disposed in an end-to-end relationship for disposition below the bust of a user, said bust supporting straps each having an upper extending apex portion for disposition adjacent the outer side portion of the users bust,

means for joining the bust support straps in an abutting relationship at their adjoining ends,

elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of the straps,

a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust supporting strap, such that each end of said strip is affixed to an opposite end of said associated bust supporting strap,

a pair of bust shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to said bust supporting straps,

and means for adjustably securing a portion of each bust extending strip to the associated shaping cup.

3. In a brassiere:

a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps disposed in an end-to-end relationship for disposition below the bust of a user,

means for joining the bust support straps in an abutting relationship at their adjoining ends, the opposite end of said bust supporting straps are connected to underarm support bands, the bust supporting straps having a concave curved surface fixedly secured to an abutting concave curved surface on said underarm support band whereby the adjoining line between the supporting strap and adjacent underarm support band bows inwardly when the brassiere is used,

elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of the straps,

a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust supporting strap, such that each endof said strip is affixed to an opposite end of said associated bust supporting strap,

and a pair of bust shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to said bust supporting straps.

4. In a brassiere:

a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps disposed in an end-to-end relationship for disposition below the bust of a user, said bust support straps having a curved undulating surface on one upper side thereof, said undulating surface having a raised portion toward the center thereof and an upper extending apex portion for disposition adjacent the outer side portion of the bust,

means for joining the bust support straps in an abutting relationship at their adjoining ends,

elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of the straps,

a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust supporting strap, such that each end of said strip is affixed to an opposite end of said associated bust supporting strap,

and a pair of bust shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to said bust supporting straps. 

1. In a brassiere: a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps disposed in an end-to-end relationship for disposition below the bust of a user, means for joining the bust supporting straps in an abutting relationship at their adjoining ends, elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of the straps, a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust supporting strap, such that each end of said strip is affixed to an opposite end of said associated bust supporting strap, underarm support bands, the opposite end of said bust supporting straps being connected to said underarm supporting bands, the bust supporting straps having concave surfaces fixedly secured to abutting concave surfaces on said underarm support bands, whereby the adjoining lines between the supporting straps and adjacent underarm support bands bow inwardly when the brassiere is used, a pair of bust shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to said bust supporting straps, and means for adjustably securing a portion of each bust extending strip to the associated shaping cup.
 2. In a brassiere: a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps disposed in an end-to-end relationship for disposition below the bust of a user, said bust supporting straps each having an upper extending apex portion for disposition adjacent the outer side portion of the user''s bust, means for joining the bust support straps in an abutting relationship at their adjoining ends, elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of the straps, a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust supporting strap, such that each end of said strip is affixed to an opposite end of said associated bust supporting strap, a pair of bust shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to said bust supporting straps, and means for adjustably securing a portion of each bust extending strip to the associated shaping cup.
 3. In a brassiere: a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps disposed in an end-to-end relationship for disposition below the bust of a user, means for joining the bust support straps in an abutting relationship at their adjoining ends, the opposite end of said bust supporting straps are connected to underarm support bands, the bust supporting straps having a concave curved surface fixedly secured to an abutting concave curved surface on said underarm support band whereby the adjoining line between the supporting strap and adjacent underarm support band bows inwardly when the brassiere is used, elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of the straps, a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust supporting strap, such that each end of said strip is affixed to an opposite end of said associated bust supporting strap, and a pair of bust shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to said bust supporting straps.
 4. In a brassiere: a pair of shaped elongated bust supporting straps disposed in an end-to-end relationship for disposition below the bust of a user, said bust support straps having a curved undulating surface on one upper side thereof, said undulating surface having a raised portion toward the center thereof and an upper extending apex portion for disposition adjacent the outer side portion of the bust, means for joining the bust support straps in an abutting relationship at their adjoining ends, elastic means connecting the remotely disposed ends of the straps, a flexible bust extending strip for encircling the upper portion of the bust attached to each bust supporting strap, such that each end of said strip is affixed to an opposite end of said associated bust supporting strap, and a pair of bust shaping cups of flexible fabric secured to said bust supporting straps. 